Macalester College
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $55,800 within 10 years; exceptional 90% graduation rate.
About This School
Macalester College is a private nonprofit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota with approximately 2,131 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 28% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $29,980 per year. The graduation rate is 90%, and the typical graduate earns $55,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1874, Macalester is exclusively an undergraduate institution with an enrollment of 2,068 students in the fall of 2025. The college has Scottish and Presbyterian roots and emphasizes internationalism and multiculturalism.
This is a strong option for students who want a true liberal arts experience in an urban setting — a 90% graduation rate and 95% freshman retention signal that students who get in tend to thrive here. At an average net price of ~$30K/year and median debt of just $19,500 at graduation, the financial picture is more manageable than many private colleges, though median earnings of $55,800 a decade out are solid but not exceptional, so students banking on a fast financial return should go in with realistic expectations.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,131 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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